2,300 year old Hittite secret passage found in Turkey

A secret-passageway dating back 2,300 years has been discovered in central Turkey.

At the Alacahoyuk archaeological site in central Turkey, one of the sites of the ancient Hittite settlements, archaeologists excavating a sanctuary that had been discovered two years ago came across the ancient tunnel.

Speaking to Hurriyet Daily News, Aykut Cinaroglu, the head of excavations and professor at Ankara University, said the discovery of the secret passageway, known as a potern, is a significant discovery on the site.

A secret-passageway dating back 2,300 years has been discovered in central Turkey.

At the Alacahoyuk archaeological site in central Turkey, one of the sites of the ancient Hittite settlements, archaeologists excavating a sanctuary that had been discovered two years ago came across the ancient tunnel.

Speaking to Hurriyet Daily News, Aykut Cinaroglu, the head of excavations and professor at Ankara University, said the discovery of the secret passageway, known as a potern, is a significant discovery on the site.

“We have previously found a cuneiform [form of ancient script] tablet here, featuring a king who explains to priests what to do during ceremonies. This secret tunnel may have a sacred function.”

Daily Sabbah reports that the world’s first Hittite-era skeleton has potentially been found at the site, too, which is to be explored further in a documentary called ‘Following in the footsteps of history’.